A THAI transgenic mouse line developed at the ELKH Institute of Experimental Medicine provides opportunities for a better understanding of thyroid-related hormonal problems and research to alleviate them. The European, American and Hungarian-patented THAI (Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator) mouse model has been proven to be suitable for drug development and ecotoxicological studies. Until now, however, the knowledge and networking system required to put it on the market had not been available for developers. With this in mind, IEM has signed a cooperation agreement with the Blue Seven Group in order to ensure that this special Hungarian innovation can also find success on international markets.
IEM researchers Balázs Gereben, Csaba Fekete and Petra Mohácsik, assisted by Ferenc Erdélyi and Gábor Szabó, have created experimental mice whose tissue emits light, with the intensity of the light related to the activity of thyroid hormone in the tissue. The issue of low thyroid hormone levels, known as hypothyroidism, affects a large number of people. By being able to track and measure thyroid hormone signaling in individual brain areas and different tissues, researchers can not only better understand the development of thyroid-related diseases, but also test the effects of medication.
This special transgenic mouse model has already been used with exceptional results in research in many countries around the world. The IEM researchers, however have also set the goal of market utilization, which is why they approached Dr Kálmán Böjthe, chairman and CEO of Blue Seven Group Zrt., with whom they signed a cooperation agreement.
Blue Seven Group Zrt. was established with the aim of bringing innovative Hungarian products to market through domestic and international listed companies. The founder is convinced that innovative Hungarian products can compete on a global level. The partnership will enable the researchers to increase the number of mouse models.